Re-inking device



Dec. 19, 1961 R. R. ROBINSON 3,013,488

RE-INKING DEVICE Filed Jan. 23, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 3

57 33 I I l J T' i l l F IG.4

INVENTOR ROBERT R. ROBINSON I HIS AT QRNE Dec. 19, 1961 R. R. ROBINSON 3,013,488

RE-INKING DEVICE Filed Jan. 23, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a -Err;

UQJJI EI United States Patent Ofiicc 3,013,488 Patented Dec. 19, 1961 3,013,488 RE-INKING DEVICE Robert R. Robinson, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to The National Cash Register Company, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Maryiand Filed Jan. 23, 1961, Ser. No. 83,932 6 Glaims. (Cl. 101-633) The present invention relates to reinking devices, and more particularly relates to a device which will reink a printing element and remove the excess ink, all in one reinking operation.

The invention is applied to the reinking of printing elements which are used in conjunction with a label-printing machine similar to that disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,730,038, issued to Mayo A. Goodbar and Russell G. Pratt on January 20, 1956.

The printing elements used in the machine disclosed in the above-mentioned patent are of an elongated configuration and are positioned on their sides when used in the machine disclosed in that patent. .It has been found that, when the printing elements are in this position, the ink will run from the stamp material unless a proper amount has been applied and a sufiicient time has elapsed for the ink to be absorbed sufficiently to remain within the stamp material. It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a reinking device which will automatically apply the proper amount of ink to a printing member.

It is another object of this invention to provide a reinking device which has means for wiping off the excess ink that remains on the printing element after a reinking operation has occurred.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a reinking device which is simple in construction and allows the reinking and the wiping of the printing element to take place in one operation.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide means for preventing the operation of the reinking device when no printing element is located in the reinking device, or if the element is improperly located in the device itself.

It is another object of this invention to prevent the operation of the reinking device when the tray containing the ink supply is not properly positioned within the reinking device.

With these and incidental objects in view, the invention includes certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts, a preferred form or embodiment of which is hereinafter described with reference to the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the assembled reinking device, with a printing element inserted within the device.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the upper case, showing the wiper and the inking hammer into which the printing element is inserted.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the inking tray, showing the inking pad and its cover.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of a typical printing element which is used in a label-printing machine.

FIG. 5 is a detailed vertical sectional view of the reinking device, taken on line 55 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is a detailed end sectional view taken on line 6- 6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a detailed sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 6 and showing the engaging position of the locating arm.

Referring to FIG. 1, there isshown a view of the reink- 2 ing device with a printing key 24 positioned for a reinking operation. This device is essentially composed of an upper case 20 and an ink tray 21. The upper case 20 (FIG. 2) and the bottom partially opened, with a pair of flanges 22 overlapping the bottom edge. The flanges 22 act as a support for the ink tray 21. A horizontal slot 23, located in the partially-opened end of the case 20, allows for the insertion of the printing key 24 (FIG. 4) into the case 20. As shown in FIG. 2, one end of the slot 23 has a bent-in flange 42, which engages and locks in position the printing key after initial operation of the reinking device as hereinafter described.

The printing key 24 (FIG. 4) is typical of those used in label-printing machines of the type disclosed in the previously-mentioned Goodbar and Pratt United States patent. The key consists of a finger portion 25, for use in convenient insertion and removal of the key into and from the label-printing machine, and also the reinking device. Attached to one face of the key by means of retaining clips 26 is a stamp portion 27, made of a flexible porous material. In this embodiment, the material is porous rubber. On the stamp portion is the name 28 of the stamp. As shown in FIG. 5, the name portion of the stamp is in raised letters.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, there is shown the ink tray 21, which is of rectangular shape and is composed of a hollow tray 29 (FIG. 5) having a raised portion 30, located intermediate the ends. of the tray. Positioned on top of the tray is a cover 31 (FIG. 3) having located at its center a T-shaped slot 32. The slot 32 lies adjacent the raised portion 30 (FIG. 5) of the tray when the cover is fitted to the tray '29. Both the tray and the cover 31 are made of polystyrene plastic.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown located on the top edge of the tray a V-shaped slot 33. As will be explained more fully hereinafter, this slot coacts with an arm located in the upper case for controlling the operation of the reinking device. Also located in the reinking device, as shown in FIG. 5, is material constituting the inking pad or supply. This material may be polyurethane foam material. Any other type of foam material which is of similar construction and is compatible with the type of ink used may be utilized. It will be noted also from FIG. 5 that certain areas of this plastic material are left vacant to accommodate certain parts of the reinking device during a reinking operation.

The present invention further includes a hub 36 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 5), which is mounted on the upper surface of the case 20, and within which is slidably located a plunger 37. The lower end of the plunger 37 is positioned within a slot 38, located in the top surface of the case 20. Mounted on top of the plunger 37 is a knob 39, which facilitates the movement of the plunger. A spring 40, located Withing the hub 36, and bearing against a shoulder 41, located on the plunger, normally urges the plunger in an upward direction.

Attached to the lower end of the plunger 37 by means of a screw 43 is a stamp holder 44, located within the upper case 20 (FIGS. 2 and 5). The stamp holder 44 has attached to it, by means of screws 50 (FIGQ4), a pair of folded-over retaining lips 45 and 46 (FIG. 6), extending along the edges of the stamp holder 44. A slot 47, extending down the center of the stamp holder, provides a pair of bearing surfaces 48 (FIG. 6), which coact with the lips 45 and 46 to hold the printing key 24 when the key is positioned within such surfaces. In FIG 5 there is shown a printing key partially positioned within the stamp holder.

Attached to the inside of the upper case and located adjacent one end of the stamp holder 44 are a pair of is of a hollow construction, having one endv guides 49, which guide the movement of the stamp holder during a reinking operation. It will be seen from FIG. 5 that depression of the knob 39 of the plunger will move the stamp holder and the printing key in a. downward direction along the guide 49 until the porous rubber stamp portion of the printing key engages the polyurethane foam material, which contains the ink supply. This movement of the stamp holder compresses both the porous rubber stamp of the printing key and the polyurethane foam material against the raised portion 30 of the ink tray. Upon disengagement of the stamp from the foam material, the ink is absorbed by the stamp.

To insure that the printing key 24 is properly positioned within the stamp holder 44 before a reinking operation is initiated, there is provided a slidable latch 51 (FIGS. 2 and 5), which is located at one end of the stamp holder 44 and which normally engages the stamp holder, thereby preventing its movement. The latch is slidably supported within a slide 52 by means of a lower edge 53 (FIG. 2), which rides within a slot located in the slide. The slide itself is welded to the upper case 20. A spring 54 (FIG. 2), positioned on a dowel 55, attached to the back edge of the upper case 20, engages the latch 51 and urges the latch forward into engagement with the stamp holder 44. A lip 56 (FIG. 5) of the latch 51 overlaps one edge of the stamp holder when the latch engages the stamp holder, thus preventing the downward movement of the stamp holder. During a reinking operation, the positioning of a printing key within the stamp holder, as previously described, will allow the printing key to engage the lip 56 of the latch, thereby moving the latch against the action of the spring 54 until the lip is disengaged from the stamp holder. This position is shown in dotted lines in FIG. 5. By this movement, the stamp holder is free to be moved in a reinking operation.

In order to prevent the printing key from being dislocated from the stamp holder due to the pressure of the spring 54, the printing key has a shoulder 68 (FIG. 4), which engages the bent-in flange 42 upon the downward movement of the stamp holder, as previously described. This locks the printing key in the stamp holder.

There is also included in the reinking device a further locking arrangement, which insures that the inking tray 21 is fully positioned within the upper case 20 before an inking operation is initiated. As previously described, the inking tray 21 has a V-shaped slot 33, located on top of one of its edges (FIG. 3). This slot cooperates with a locating arm 57 (FIGS. 2, 6, and 7), mounted on a shaft 58. The locating arm 57 has a tail section 66 (FIG. 7). The shaft 58 is rotatably supported between two supports 59 (FIG. 2), each support attached to the upper case 20. A spring 60, located on the shaft 58, has one end engaging a stud 61 (FIGS. 2 and 7), located on the locating arm 57, thereby urging the locating arm clockwise. This clockwise movement of the locating arm is limited by the engagement of the tail section 66 of the locating arm with the upper case 20, as shown in FIG. 7.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, there is shown supported on the shaft 58, intermediate its ends, a pawl 62. The pawl has a finger 63, which is positioned as shown in FIG. 5, adjacent the rear edge of the latch 51. When the tray 21 is inserted into the case 20, the upper surface of the tray will engage the locating arm 57 and rotate it counter-clockwise against the action of the spring 60 to a position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 7. This movement of the locating arm will rotate the pawl 62 and its finger 63 into the path of the latch 51, thereby preventing a rearward movement of the latch. This positioning of the latch prevents the stamp holder 44 from being operated. Upon the full insertion of the tray, the V-shaped slot in the tray will be positioned beneath the location arm, thereby allowing the locating arm to be rotated clockwise under the urging of the spring 60. This movement is transmitted by the shaft 58 to the pawl 62, which rotates the finger 63 out of the locking position, thereby allowing the latch 51 to be moved so as to release the stamp holder for a reinking operation. It will be seen from this arrangement that, unless the inking tray is properly positioned within the case 20, the stamp nolder will be locked in position, thereby preventing a reinking operation from occurring.

Attached to the forward end of the stamp holder 44 is a wiper blade 64 (FIGS. 2, 5, and 6), which wipes off the excess ink that accumulates on the raised name section 23 of the stamp portion of the printing key. The wiper blade is so positioned as to engage the top edge of the name section 28. This wiping action occurs as the printing key is withdrawn from the reinking device, as indicated in FIG. 5.

In the operation of the reinking device, the printing key is inserted through the slot 23 and into engagement with the stamp holder 44. During this movement, the key 24 engages the latch 51, thereby moving the latch rearwardly until the lip 56 of the latch is disengaged from the stamp holder 44. The operator then depresses the plunger 37, which moves the printing key into engagement with the material forming the inking pad. Upon release of the plunger, the printing key will suck up a quantity of ink and be returned to its original position, allowing the operator to withdraw the key from the stamp holder. As the printing key is withdrawn from the stamp holder, all of the excess ink located on the top surface of the name section 28 is wiped off by means of the wiper 64. This allows the printing key to be inserted into the label-printing machine without the danger of having the excess ink prevent a printing operation.

While the form of the device shown and described herein is admirably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that it is not intended to confine the invention to the one form or embodiment disclosed herein, for it is susceptible of embodiment in various other forms.

What is claimed is:

1. In a reinking device for reinking a stamping element, the combination of a reciprocally-movable stamp holder; enclosure means for slidably supporting said stamp holder; an ink reservoir positioned within said enclosure and located adjacent said stamp holder and comprising a tray having a raised platform and an ink-saturatei ink-transmitting material located on said platform; a stamp member insertable within said stamp holder, said stamp member having characters in relief thereon; a plunger mounted on said stamp holder and operable to move the stamp member into engagement with said inksaturated ink-transmitting material, said movement resulting in the compression of the characters in relief and the ink-saturated ink-transmitting material against said raised platform; and wiping means mounted on said stamp holder and operable to remove the excess ink from said stamp member during the removal of said stamp member from said stamp holder.

2. The reinking device of claim 1 in which the inksaturated ink-transmitting material is polyurethane foam.

3. In a reinking device for reinking a stamping element, the combination of a reciprocally-movable stamp holder; enclosure means for slidably supporting said stamp holder; means slidably mounted on said enclosure means for blocking said stamp holder and capable of being moved to a non-blocking position; an ink reservoir posi' tioned within said enclosure and located adjacent said stamp holder and comprising a tray having a raised platform and an ink-saturated ink-transmitting material located on said platform: a stamp member containing characters in relief for insertion within said stamp holder, said stamp member engaging and moving said blocking means to a non-blocking position upon the full insertion of said stamp member within said stamp holder; a plunger mounted on said stamp holder and operable upon the full insertion of the stamp member into the stamp holder to move the stamp member into engagement with said inksaturated ink-transmitting material, said movement resulting in the compression of the characters in relief and the ink-saturated ink-transmitting material against said raised platform; and wiping means mounted on said stamp holder and operable to remove the excess ink from said stamp member during the removal of said stamp member from said stamp holder.

4. An apparatus for reinking a stamping element, including a reciprocally-movable stamp holder; enclosure means for slidably supporting said stamp holder; means slidably mounted on said enclosure means for blocking said stamp holder and capable of being moved to a nonblocking position; an ink reservoir positioned within said enclosure and located adjacent said stamp holder and comprising a tray having a raised platform and an ink-saturated ink-transmitting material located on said platform, said tray having an indentation on its top edge; means for locking said blocking means in a blocking position; sensing means mounted on said enclosure means and operable to disable said locking means when sensing said indentation upon the full insertion of said tray within said enclosure means; a stamp member containing characters in relief for insertion within said stamp holder, said stamp member engaging and moving said blocking means to a non-blocking position after operation of said sensing means, said movement resulting from a full ins'ertion of the clamp member within the stamp holder; a plunger mounted on said stamp holder and operable upon the full insertion of the stamp member into the stamp holder to move the stamp member into engagement with said ink-saturated ink-transmitting material, said movement resulting in the compression of the characters in relief and the ink-saturated ink-transmitting material against said raised platform; and wiping means mounted on said stamp holder and operable to remove the excess ink from said stamp holder during the removal of said stamp memher from said stamp holder.

5. In a reinking device for reinking a stamping element, the combination of a reciprocally-movable stamp holder; frame means for supporting said stamp holder; an ink reservoir slidably supported within said frame means and positioned adjacent said stamp holder and comprising a tray having a raised platform positioned adjacent said stamp holder and an ink-saturated ink-transmitting material located on said platform; a porous resilient stamp member insertable within said stamp hold er, said stamp member having characters in relief thereon; a depressible finger-engageable plunger connected to said stamp holder and operable to move said stamp member into engagement with said ink-saturated ink-transmitting material, said movement being limited by said platform; and wiping means comprising a blade mounted on said stamp holder and arranged in spaced relation with said stamp holder, said blade having a lower surface so positioned as to engage the exposed surface of the characters in relief of said stamp member when the stamp member is being removed from the stamp holder.

6. In a reinking apparatus for reinking a stamping ele ment, the combination of a reciprocally-movable s'tamp holder; an enclosure within which said stamp holder is located; an ink reservoir slidably supported within said enclosure and positioned adjacent said stamp holder and comprising a tray having a raised platform positioned adjacent said stamp holder and including an ink-saturated ink-transmitting material located in said tray and on said platform; a porous resilient stamp member insertable within said holder, said stamp member having characters in relief thereon; a hub mounted on top of said enclosure; a depressible plunger located within said hub and having one end connected to said stamp holder, said plunger being operable to move said stamp member into engagement with said ink-saturated ink-transmitting material, said movement compressing the characters in relief of said stamp member and the ink-saturated ink-transmitting material against said raised platform; and a blade mounted on said stamp holder for engaging the exposed surface of the characters in relief of said stamp member when the stamp member is being removed from the stamp holder, thereby wiping off the excess ink located on said characters.

No references cited. 

